Is it true...

[jennifer.lee]

...that I can't go get my teeth cleaned at the dentist's office while pregnant? Just wondering, because my routine teeth cleaning is coming up, and I'd like to go if I can!

What are the reasons I wouldn't be able to go, by the way? I heard some dentists don't work on pregnant women.

 

[Blob]

Never heard of that, why would you get free dentist care if it wasn't ok? Though I don't know about cleaning?

 

[jennifer.lee]

Never heard of that, why would you get free dentist care if it wasn't ok? Though I don't know about cleaning?

I'm not sure. I've just read it on several message boards and didn't have any information. I was just double checking, since I had an upcoming appointment. I haven't told my dentist I was pregnant yet, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Thanks for your answer!

 

[nnynny]

I had one in the first few weeks of pregnancy and I'm having another one in third trimester. It is fine as long as it is routine and it is not an actual procedure. Just let them know you are pregnant so that there won't be any X-rays.

 

[Blob]

I've always been to the dentist each time with mine

 

[Longl3gz]

You're safe as long as they don't whiten your teeth or getting veneers. X-Rays should be avoided also.

Some other words of advice-make sure you floss often and intake a good amount of calcium since the baby will get all the calcium she or he needs whether u have plenty of it or not. If you don't, it'll lead to issues in the future such as osteoperosis and gingivitis.

 

[CastawayBride]

You are fine for routine care, just avoid X rays and advise you are pregnant...

 

[justhoping]

the x rax is so small and u get double or even tripple shelded while pregnant..i have..nothing went to my baby

you should always get ur teeth checked and taken care of while pregnant...lots of times people dont and infections from the gums go into ur blood stream and can go to the baby...ob's always say to go to the dentist and take care of ur teeth whilst pregnangt

 

[TMonster]

My dentist told me its more important to get your teeth cleaned and checked out more frequently than usual while you are pregnant because pregnancy can cause specific problems with your gums which can lead to systemic issues.

My hygenist is on my ass every 3 months due to my pregnancy.

There are certain treatments they need to avoid like extra fluoride, nitrous, extra protection during x-rays etc. but as long as they know you are pregnant they will know what precautions to take.

 

[Amsan]

My dentist told me its more important to get your teeth cleaned and checked out more frequently than usual while you are pregnant because pregnancy can cause specific problems with your gums which can lead to systemic issues.

My hygenist is on my ass every 3 months due to my pregnancy.

There are certain treatments they need to avoid like extra fluoride, nitrous, extra protection during x-rays etc. but as long as they know you are pregnant they will know what precautions to take.

That's what I was thinking.... I've had swollen/bleeding gums and my hygenist prescribed me perio guard mouth rinse until I get in for a cleaning with her next month.

 

[bekkie]

completely the opposite - it's a very important time to keep your teeth clean!

As for bleeding gums - my dentist said it's very common due to the hormonal changes, and that it's important to continue to floss and brush through it. Warm salt-water rinse helps relieve the pain/discomfort

 

[Kiss08]

completely the opposite - it's a very important time to keep your teeth clean!

As for bleeding gums - my dentist said it's very common due to the hormonal changes, and that it's important to continue to floss and brush through it. Warm salt-water rinse helps relieve the pain/discomfort

This. Pregnancy is a time where you should definitely go to the dentist. Cavities are common during pregnancy (probably something with hormones or baby sucking everything out of us). Second tri is when my dentist recommended going as you hopefully aren't nauseous anymore but also won't be too uncomfortable sitting in a chair or lying on your back.

Also, my dentist told me if you get a fluoride treatment, it passes the placenta and strengthens baby's teeth, too!

In case you do need fillings, that's okay during pregnancy, too (numbing drugs and all). My dentist was nice and let me take breaks as it was starting to get uncomfortable sitting back in one position when I got my fillings. Most dentists have you wait for elective work until after baby but fillings and other work that would otherwise result in some kind of infection (thus endangering baby more) are usually done during pregnancy. They'll probably skip the x-rays, too. They probably protect you enough that it'd be okay but I know I'd feel better about skipping them!

 

[undomestic]

I just went last week (17 weeks pregnant) and will be going again a month before the baby is born - just for a cleaning tho.
I wouldn't do x-rays or fillings or anything like that.. I even refused the fluoride rinse (mostly because it makes me nauseous at the best of times - didn't want to throw up in the dentist office)

 

[fairsinger]

I agree with those who said it's important to get your teeth cleaned during pregnancy. I don't get routine X-rays when pregnant, though, only if there's a problem. I am even having crown work done this week because the doctor said it's more dangerous to leave a cavity in and risk infection getting to the baby. I checked with my OB's office and she said local anesthetic is fine, too. I have had to have dental work (fillings and crowns) in past pregnancies and the benefit has always outweighed the risks. I put off any optional dental work until after pregnancy, but I get any necessary work done even when pregnant.

I have heard some dentists won't work on pregnant women and some require an okay from the OB, so you might call the dentist's office ahead of time to let them know you're pregnant and see what they say.

 

[Lovn.sunshine]

Definitely recommended to go to routine cleanings while pregnant - just make sure you let them know so they don't do xrays!

 

[Julesillini8]

I went a week and a half ago at 37 wks.... No X-rays for me, but I have gone throughout pregnancy. Don't know why they say you shouldn't....

 

[cookette]

Hi Jennifer, I do cleanings on pregnant women all the time You're fine. It used to be to wait until women were out of 1st tri but they long since have trashed that, and we usually dont do 3rd tri just because you are usually so uncomfortable to be layed back in the chair. Really, you are safe at any point unless you OB specifically tells you otherwise.

We reoutinely do extractions/fillings also. We use a special anesthetic without epi so as not to get anyones heart rate up.

And to the PP, NO, the baby is not stealing calcium from your teeth or causing your gingivitis You may notice a SLIGHT increase in bleeding from hormone fluctuation, but true gingivitis is true gingivities. I cannot stand women blaming their mouth troubles on their babies!

You will be in good hands, just let them know ahead of time

 

[jennifer.lee]

Thanks for your advice, everybody!

I did end up going to the dentist today! I told him I was pregnant ahead of time, and he let me know he doesn't do work on anyone in their first trimester, but since I was in the second trimester, I was good. He still didn't do any x-rays on me, but he did clean my teeth. His assistant said they don't work on women in the first trimester, because of the tooth cleaner.

Either way, I did get my teeth cleaned today! I'm glad I did, too! The assistant also told me that if a pregnant woman develops gingivitis, it can lead to low birth weight or premature birth.

 

[MommyGrim]

My OB told me I NEEDED to go to the dentist while pregnant for exactly the reason you stated.

 

[Longl3gz]

Hi Jennifer, I do cleanings on pregnant women all the time You're fine. It used to be to wait until women were out of 1st tri but they long since have trashed that, and we usually dont do 3rd tri just because you are usually so uncomfortable to be layed back in the chair. Really, you are safe at any point unless you OB specifically tells you otherwise.

We reoutinely do extractions/fillings also. We use a special anesthetic without epi so as not to get anyones heart rate up.

And to the PP, NO, the baby is not stealing calcium from your teeth or causing your gingivitis You may notice a SLIGHT increase in bleeding from hormone fluctuation, but true gingivitis is true gingivities. I cannot stand women blaming their mouth troubles on their babies!

You will be in good hands, just let them know ahead of time

Isn't gingivitis genetic?